A Preserved Chapter of History in Budapest’s Palace District

The Palace District has long represented the intellectual, cultural, and architectural heart of Budapest. Within this distinguished setting lies a truly exceptional classical bourgeois apartment - an offering that stands out not only for its scale and condition, but also for its historic and applied arts significance.

This 221-square-meter, first-floor residence dates back to the 1910s, an era when interiors were conceived not merely as functional spaces, but as reflections of worldview, social standing, and cultivated taste.

A Vision Shaped by a Master Set Designer – The Legacy of István Szironthai Lhotka

The apartment’s original interior concept was created by István Szironthai Lhotka, one of the most celebrated set designers of Hungarian silent cinema.
Born in Budapest in 1884, Szironthai Lhotka worked for the Uher, Star, and Corvin film studios, later continuing his career in Vienna, Berlin, and London before returning to Budapest. He was responsible for the monumental sets of Mihály Kertész’s large-scale May Day procession in 1919, among many other notable works.

It is no coincidence that this apartment unfolds with theatrical spatial dramaturgy: the rooms flow into one another in a circular layout, the residence has two separate entrances, and each space possesses a distinct character and atmosphere.

The apartment was originally designed for a renowned physician, who occupied one half of the first-floor home while operating his medical practice in the other - an intentional and elegant separation of private and representative functions.

Artistic Authenticity – A Published Interior from Over a Century Ago

Further enhancing its significance, the apartment was featured in an applied arts publication more than 100 years ago and today enjoys protected status as an applied arts heritage interior.

Beginning in the early 2000s, an extraordinary seven-year restoration was carried out by the current owner, with exceptional attention paid to preserving the original architectural elements and furnishings of the period, including:

• six restored fireplaces crafted from hammered metal and artificial stone

• richly ornamented plaster ceilings

• fabric-covered walls

• hand-hammered metal light fixtures

• furniture and wall paneling in mahogany, linden, oak, and pear wood

• an original built-in upright “giraffe" piano

• a study wall featuring a reproduction of a masterpiece by a world‑renowned painter

At the heart of the residence is a rare interior reception balcony, a striking yet intimate architectural feature that is virtually unheard of in contemporary apartment design.

Timeless Value – Historic Character with Modern Comfort

While remaining faithful to its original character, the apartment offers all the comforts of modern living. The layout is well considered and functional, the separate dining room and kitchen are equipped with Franke built-in appliances, and heating is provided by a gas boiler central system.

Security features include an alarm system and reinforced entrance gate, while parking is available in a nearby underground garage.